"I'm very sorry. We did indeed approach you with an ulterior motive," Stanson said. "There's a group of bounty hunters stationed nearby. They specialize in hunting down passing pirates and stealing their Pirate Flags."
"If they're lucky enough to survive, their sails are destroyed, leaving them to drift at sea and wait for death."
"So that's why you've been drifting here?"
"That's right." Stanson nodded. "It was only because I acted humble enough that I managed to beg for a chance to live. Otherwise, all of us would have died long ago."
Perhaps those bounty hunters disdained killing people without a bounty on their heads. On top of that, they wanted to use them as bait to lure other pirates over, which was why they hadn't killed them.
Of course, if they discovered that Pazeru, their captain, was still alive, these people would probably still die.
After all... their captain's Wanted Order carried a bounty of one hundred million Beli!
"Damn it..."
Kyle clenched his fists, his face filled with humiliation.
To him, having to beg for a chance to stay alive was itself an insult.
Most importantly, their Pirate Flag had been taken!
"Then what did you mean by your purpose...?"
"We were bait meant to lure you into the trap. Naturally, our purpose was to draw you closer." Stanson took out a Den Den Mushi. "After you approached us, I contacted those bounty hunters through the Den Den Mushi."
"I think they'll arrive here soon."
Although he didn't know where those people were right now, enough time had passed. They should be arriving soon.
"In other words..." Zoro's expression darkened. "We were the bargaining chip you used to seek a chance to survive... How nasty."
The others' gazes gradually turned hostile as well. They had kindly invited these